Here’s a general range of common ancillary charges you may encounter at closing. Actual costs may vary depending on the property, transaction type, and municipal jurisdiction.
📑 Search & Recording Fees
- Municipal Department Searches – $500.00 ($380 in Westchester County)
Investigates local records for building violations, permits, and certificates of occupancy.
- Patriot Name Search – $25.00 per name
Screens individuals or entities against federal watch lists for compliance with anti-terrorism laws.
- Bankruptcy Search – $25.00 per name
Identifies any bankruptcy filings associated with the parties involved in the transaction.
- Recording Service Fee – $25 per document
Administrative fee for submitting documents for official recording with county clerks.
- Recording Fee (Standard) – Varies by County per document
Government-imposed charges for recording deeds, mortgages, and other legal documents.
- UCC Filing Fee – $125.00 (excludes Nassau and Suffolk block/lot fee)
Files a lender's security interest in personal property related to the real estate transaction.
- UCC Termination Fee – $125.00
Removes a previously filed UCC financing statement once the associated debt is satisfied.
- UCC Search (County or State) – $100 per jurisdiction
Examines UCC filings at both county and state levels to uncover existing liens on personal property.
📐 Survey & Tax Fees
- Survey Inspection – $95.00
Physically verifies property boundaries and improvements against existing surveys.
- Tax Search – $75.00
Checks for outstanding property taxes and assessments that could result in liens.
⚖️ Court & Legal Searches
- Judgment & Lien Search – $325.00 per name
Identifies any court judgments or liens against the property or involved parties.
- Foreclosure Search – $625.00
Investigates whether the property has been subject to foreclosure proceedings.
- Litigation Search – $125.00
Uncovers ongoing or past litigation that could affect the property's title.
🏛️ Certificate & Document Requests
- Certificate of Good Standing – $187.50
Confirms that a business entity is authorized to operate within the state.
- Certificate of Incorporation/Formation – $187.50
Provides official documentation of a company's creation and legal status.
- Certified Copies – $62.50 per document (plus page count)
Obtains officially certified copies of legal documents from public records.
🏘️ Specialized Property Services
- Co-op Lien Search – $500.00
Examines liens and assessments specific to cooperative housing units.
- Zoning Lot Certification – $937.50
Verifies zoning compliance and provides certification for development purposes.
- Covenant & Restriction Search – $250.00
Identifies any covenants, conditions, or restrictions affecting the property's use.
- Landmark Search – $125.00
Determines if the property is designated as a landmark or is within a historic district, which may impose usage restrictions.